Written by Jonathan Du Fault
Laws preventing firearm dealers from selling handguns to adults under the age of 21 have been ruled unconstitutional, a federal appeals court said on Tuesday. This ruling could have national implications on handgun sales to young adults under 21.
In a split decision of 2-1, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of appeals for the 4th Circuit said the existing minimum age requirement for purchases from federally licensed gun dealers restricts the rights of law-abiding citizens and draws an unjustified line.
The decision finds that 18 year olds have a Second Amendment right to purchase and own firearms, including handguns.
“Despite the weighty interest in reducing crime and violence, we refuse to relegate either the Second Amendment or 18-to-20-year-olds to a second-class status,” wrote Judge Richardson.
The court argued if an 18 year old can serve in the nation’s military, they should be allowed to purchase a handgun.
This ruling does not mean adults under the age of 21 can go buy a handgun immediately. The court order sends the case back to the District Court and will allow time for the government to decide to send it to the full 4th circuit to hear.
If the District Court supports this decision it could create a wave of states overturning their laws preventing 18 year olds from buying a handgun. Even in California the tides are changing as lawsuit after lawsuit forces California to overturn unjust laws created to stifle a citizens right to bear arms.
